After European Championship disappointment, Pogačar has something to look forward to: 'I'm not getting any younger'
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Follow us on GoogleAfter disappointment at the European Championships in Slovenia, Tadej Pogačar continues to serve as an ambassador for cycling. This time, specifically at the 2031 World Championships in Trentino. On Thursday evening, the northern Italian region’s ambitious cycling project was presented, and Pogačar appeared online as a surprise guest.
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The Slovenian rider from UAE Emirates-XRG has been working hard over the past year to ensure a successful European Championship in his home country of Slovenia. The fact that he himself won’t be able to compete in Ljubljana due to an injury will be an incredible disappointment for the superstar.
Fortunately, he has plenty to keep him occupied. On Wednesday, he took a lap around the European Championships course with his fiancée, Urska, and on Thursday, he attended a presentation on the 2031 World Championships. It will be a so-called “Super World Championships,” combining all cycling disciplines across all categories.
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Brandon McNulty was crowned world champion last Sunday in Montreal, Canada.
The 2031 World Championships will be the 'Olympics of cycling'
In 2027, a similar Super World Championships will take place in France, following Glasgow 2023, which brought together everything that makes cycling so wonderful in a single event. By 2027, the event will already feature twenty disciplines, ranging from road and track racing to BMX and mountain biking.
Trentino certainly knows what it takes to organise a cycling event. The Giro d'Italia almost always passes through the region, and a Mountain Bike World Cup race is held annually in Val di Sole. “This will be the Olympics of cycling,” they said ambitiously.
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Tadej Pogacar
Pogačar provides injury update and enjoyed watching McNulty
The region has five years to build something wonderful, with Pogačar as a key ambassador. The Slovenian doesn’t live in Italy and isn’t from Italy, but through all his years of racing in the “Boot of Europe,” he has forged a close bond with the country and its people.
And so Pogačar promptly appeared on screen during the presentation, looking happy. “After my crash in the Vuelta a España, things are getting better and better,” he said, among other things, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Of course, the World Championships also came up. Last Sunday, Pogačar handed his rainbow jersey over to his UAE teammate. “I cheered him on while watching on TV and was really happy for him. I couldn’t believe he’d done it,” said the UAE Emirates-XRG team leader proudly.
"I hope to be there in 2031—I'll be 33 then. I'm not getting any younger, and there will be a lot of competitors. I can't wait."
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - Un poco corto en la parte técnica de la bici de McNulty, no? Colnago nero con detalles arcoíris suena brutal — queremos más fotos, per favore.pedalpowe2902-10-2026
- - Wait, does the world champ jersey apply to all disciplines or just road race? Can McNulty wear it in a TT too, or is that only if he won the TT worlds?davidm02-10-2026
- - Brilliant coverage. The early flight back to beat jet lag is elite-level thinking. Those marginal gains matter before a punchy Euros course.samanthak02-10-2026
- - Not sure the “surprised everyone” line about McNulty is fair. He’s been knocking on the door all season in one-day races and TTs. Emilia in rainbows is going to slap.patriciaw02-10-2026
- - That Dutch masterclass was something else. Vollering timed that second move perfectly after the first dig didn’t stick. Proper teamwork — Wiebes and the crew deserve as much credit as Demi.julien02-10-2026
- - Boonen’s line about trusting teammates is gold. World’s is chess, not crit. Belgium tried to cover every scenario and covered none. Harsh lesson, but needed before next year.samanthak02-10-2026
- - Great read, but the piece leans a bit too harsh on Wout for me. He wasn’t at leader-level form, true, yet the team didn’t set up a plan B well enough. Segaert the bright spot, agreed.julien02-10-2026
- - Quick question: when they say Remco kept “bridging back,” does that mean he was dropping on climbs and then chasing on descents/flat? How many times can a rider do that before they’re cooked?patriciaw02-10-2026
- - Van Aert going with MvdP that early felt like déjà vu from Roubaix. If you can’t match his surges twice, why burn the matchbook there? Should’ve waited for Pedersen scenario like Bakelants said.jeremya02-10-2026
- - Loved the pod breakdown. Boonen spot on: Remco showed ridiculous resilience, but the collective tactics were off. You can’t mark every move and still save legs for the finale.sprocketspiny02-10-2026
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